Ellie Bullen | Contributors - Nourish plant-based living

Ellie Bullen

Ellie Bullen - Elsa's Wholesome Life - in fresh fruit market stall
Ellie Bullen is a qualified dietitian and nutritionist with a passion for plant-based eating. She is the creator of the hugely popular food and lifestyle blog Elsa's Wholesome Life, and book by the same name. Her colourful, healthy recipes inspire people to live healthier lives by eating more from the Earth and less from a box.

Articles by Ellie Bullen

View ›
Recipe

Crunchy salted caramel balls

Vegan food aficionado Ellie Bullen perfected the recipe for these sensational bliss balls when she used to sell them at the local fruit shop...

- Ellie Bullen

Enjoying our inspiring stories? We always love to hear from you with suggestions for the content you want more of. Suggest a topic here.

Sign up to our newsletter and receive our latest editorial and offers directly in your inbox.

More delicious vegan recipes

Sara Kidd View ›
Recipe
Chocolate cream mini cakes

Rich and sophisticated, these espresso-enhanced chocolate sponges with delectable chocolate cream topping are guaranteed to dazzle your guests,...

Sara Kidd
Adam Guthrie View ›
Recipe
Noodles and veg in spicy vegan broth

This fragrant, satisfying noodly soup is a wonderful way to pack in a multitude of vibrant veggies. Thanks to the easy availability of vegan Thai...

Adam Guthrie
Kynd Community View ›
Recipe
Bali banana pancakes

We have such fond memories of sitting at a warung (local cafe) in Bali, eating sweet banana pancakes. These are so damn easy to make and we hope...

Kynd Community
View ›
Recipe
Easy chick’n inspired parm

A classic Italian family-style dish gets a meat-free makeover. A perfect mid-week meal in just 30 minutes!

Jade Woodd View ›
Recipe
Chickpea Caesar salad with crispy croutons

Summertime means salad season! Load 'em up generously and dress them deliciously.

Jade Woodd
Adam Guthrie View ›
Recipe
Crumbed oyster mushroom burger

Ramp up your family burger night with crumbed oyster mushrooms and a super tasty, creamy sauce.

Adam Guthrie
Adam Guthrie View ›
Recipe
Big breakfast

Power up with a whole food plant-based brekkie this weekend. Yum.

Adam Guthrie

Our latest inspiration

Nicole Kennedy View ›
Health
Mindful escapes with Billabong Retreat

In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, finding moments of stillness and calm can be challenging. In an attempt to find a little peace...

Nicole Kennedy
Rachael Morris View ›
Health
Mythbusting: Gut health

If you want to get your gut in order, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is the expert to help you sort out fact from fiction. This is the gut-health cheat sheet...

Rachael Morris
Samantha van Egmond View ›
Earth
Elevate your eco cred

Time for an eco spring clean? Here are seven simple swaps for the conscious consumer

Samantha van Egmond
Rohini Bajekal View ›
Health
The cycle of hormones

If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...

Rohini Bajekal
Kate Hall View ›
Earth
Sustainable and eco-friendly period products

Eco period products have risen in popularity – they’re sustainable, affordable, healthy, and convenient. Here’s what you need to know so...

Kate Hall
Elizabeth Douglas View ›
Mind
Seven stages of going vegan

Going vegan can be a life-changing experience, and it’s not without its challenges. The good news is you’re not alone. There are identifiable...

Elizabeth Douglas
View ›
Culture
A haven on Earth

Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...

More inspiration from our mindful collective

From Breathe Magazine View ›
Wellbeing - Breathe Magazine
Time to live

Does life feel like an uphill battle? Maybe it’s time for change

From Breathe Magazine
From Breathe Magazine View ›
Wellbeing - Breathe Magazine
Natural sleep oils

Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber

From Breathe Magazine
From Mindful Puzzles View ›
Wellbeing - Mindful Puzzles
Start with you

Taking a look at self-reflection

From Mindful Puzzles
From Mindful Puzzles View ›
Wellbeing - Mindful Puzzles
To wander with no purpose

The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you

From Mindful Puzzles
From Breathe Magazine View ›
Wellbeing - Breathe Magazine
Let it glow

A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out

From Breathe Magazine
From Mindful Parenting View ›
Wellbeing - Mindful Parenting
Seeking the silver lining

When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.

From Mindful Parenting

Crunchy salted caramel balls

Ellie Bullen

Vegan food aficionado Ellie Bullen perfected the recipe for these sensational bliss balls when she used to sell them at the local fruit shop where she worked. They are truly unmissa-ball!

snack
finger foodkid-friendlyprotein / bliss balls

Ingredients

Makes: 10–12

Gooey caramel paste (makes 2 cups)

Method

  1. To make gooey caramel paste, place the dates in a food processor with 1 cup of water and blitz until smooth and creamy. The paste should be thick enough to stick to a spoon held upside down. Transfer to a jar, reserving half a cup for your caramel balls. This caramel paste will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to a month (defrost before using).
  2. To make the crunchy salted caramel balls, first line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the cashews and coconut flakes in a food processor or blender and blitz to a fine crumb. Transfer to a mixing bowl with the caramel paste, salt and buckini clusters (crumble some of the bigger chunks). Mix well with your hands to form a thick, sticky mixture. Wash and dry your hands.
  3. Place the desiccated coconut in a shallow bowl for rolling. Form heaped tablespoons of the mixture into 12 balls (about 50 grams each). Roll each ball in the coconut and place on the prepared tray. Freeze for 2 to 4 hours, or until set.

TIPS:

  • The secret to the perfect caramel flavour and crunchy texture is the caramelised buckini cluster granola mixed through, which Ellie buys from her local bulk wholefood store.
  • These are delicious eaten straight from the freezer or fridge. They store well in a sealed container in the freezer for 3 weeks, or in the fridge for 7 days – if they last that long!
Ellie Bullen - Elsa's Wholesome Life - in fresh fruit market stall
Ellie Bullen

Ellie Bullen is a qualified dietitian and nutritionist with a passion for plant-based eating.

Enjoying our inspiring stories? Sign up to our newsletter and receive our latest editorial and offers directly in your inbox.

More delicious vegan recipes

Amanda Logan View ›
Recipe
Ultimate green burger

Burgs are life! We love all the classics, and they are tastier and better for you when filled with plants.

Amanda Logan
Adam Guthrie View ›
Recipe
Creamy mushroom and tofu stroganoff

You don’t need animal products to make lusciously creamy and satisfying dishes. You don’t even need oil! This wholefood, plant-based...

Adam Guthrie
Clare Scrine View ›
Recipe
Roasted broccoli green curry with coconut rice

The trick to this super-vibrant green curry is to add a bunch of blitzed leafy greens into the paste to ensure a lovely, bright-green colour. I...

Clare Scrine
Anya Lily and Jade Sarkhel View ›
Recipe
Not-avo toast

Smashed avocado on toast is perhaps the most popular breakfast or brunch item out there, and as much as we love the mighty avo, it generally has...

Anya Lily and Jade Sarkhel
Raya Higgs View ›
Recipe
Mie goreng

This Indonesian fried noodle dish can be found at both high-end restaurants and street food vendors in the region – it’s a popular dish for...

Raya Higgs
Chef Cynthia Louise View ›
Recipe
Sticky date pudding

Surround yourself with good friends, I say. This sticky date pudding would be nowhere near as epic without a bit of mentoring (and tough love)...

Chef Cynthia Louise
Rebecca Stonor View ›
Recipe
Lemon cheesecake

Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...

Rebecca Stonor

Our latest inspiration

Nicole Kennedy View ›
Health
Mindful escapes with Billabong Retreat

In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, finding moments of stillness and calm can be challenging. In an attempt to find a little peace...

Nicole Kennedy
Rachael Morris View ›
Health
Mythbusting: Gut health

If you want to get your gut in order, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is the expert to help you sort out fact from fiction. This is the gut-health cheat sheet...

Rachael Morris
Samantha van Egmond View ›
Earth
Elevate your eco cred

Time for an eco spring clean? Here are seven simple swaps for the conscious consumer

Samantha van Egmond
Rohini Bajekal View ›
Health
The cycle of hormones

If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...

Rohini Bajekal
Kate Hall View ›
Earth
Sustainable and eco-friendly period products

Eco period products have risen in popularity – they’re sustainable, affordable, healthy, and convenient. Here’s what you need to know so...

Kate Hall
Elizabeth Douglas View ›
Mind
Seven stages of going vegan

Going vegan can be a life-changing experience, and it’s not without its challenges. The good news is you’re not alone. There are identifiable...

Elizabeth Douglas
View ›
Culture
A haven on Earth

Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...

More inspiration from our mindful collective

From Breathe Magazine View ›
Wellbeing - Breathe Magazine
Time to live

Does life feel like an uphill battle? Maybe it’s time for change

From Breathe Magazine
From Breathe Magazine View ›
Wellbeing - Breathe Magazine
Natural sleep oils

Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber

From Breathe Magazine
From Mindful Puzzles View ›
Wellbeing - Mindful Puzzles
Start with you

Taking a look at self-reflection

From Mindful Puzzles
From Mindful Puzzles View ›
Wellbeing - Mindful Puzzles
To wander with no purpose

The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you

From Mindful Puzzles
From Breathe Magazine View ›
Wellbeing - Breathe Magazine
Let it glow

A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out

From Breathe Magazine
From Mindful Parenting View ›
Wellbeing - Mindful Parenting
Seeking the silver lining

When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.

From Mindful Parenting
YOUR INPUT